Indulge in the Italy of doges and emperors, maritime powerhouses and preserved ancient streets. Discover the glories of the Grand Canal and embrace the enchanting panoramas of the Amalfi Coast. Prepare a perfect pizza in Naples and wander along the unforgettable opulent grounds of the largest royal palace ever built. Discover local wine bars and craft a memorable souvenir out of clay. From the labyrinthine catacombs of early Christians to the private caves that hold aging prosciutto that dangles...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Venice – Arrive in Venice with A Fascinating Introductory Grand Canal Tour
Venice is a city of majestic palaces and beautiful crafts that accentuate the history that spans the lagoon. The port once acted as the heart of trade between Europe and Asia Minor, collecting treasures from far off lands and encouraging art in architecture, paintings, and glasswork. Your flight will arrive at Marco Polo International Airport, and your private transfer will meet you at baggage claim. At the edge of the Grand Canal, you will find the city bustling with vibrant life as visitors from the train station cross into the city by way of the Scalzi Bridge, erected in the 1930s with an elegant stone design.
You will meet your private boat at a dock on the canal and set out on your first of many excursions to see the splendors of the city. At dusk, the lamps that line the shores will glow as the women open their window shutters and converse with their neighbors. Gondoliers guide their iconic boats across the water, which stretches two miles between the lagoon openings. The simple pleasures of an evening boat ride allow you to settle in for the wonders of Venice. Wood plinths are painted with red and white stripes that rise out of the water and support protruding docks.
The domes of Santa Maria della Salute, a 17th-century church erected in devotional gratitude at the end of the plague, stands with graceful pomp against the water that splashes at the cobblestone street. The Late Gothic architecture of Ca’ Foscari has four stories and shows the impressive wealth of the 15th-century Foscari family. You will pass beneath the arching frame of the famous Rialto Bridge as the structure was constructed in the 16th century to replace the wooden drawbridge that had collapsed. 6,000 wood plinths have supported the more than 400-foot long bridge during its creation, which gained prominence as the only bridge that spanned the Grand Canal until the 19th century.
What's Included:
Day 2
Venice – Discover Iconic Venice and the Bacari of Local Neighborhoods
Day 3
Venice – Make Masks and Glassware with a Crafts Day around the Lagoon
Day 4
Rome – Visit the Farms and Eateries of Emilia-Romagna en route to Rome
Day 5
Rome – Explore the Rome’s Ancient History and Vatican City’s Museums
Day 6
Rome – Uncover the Catacombs on a Bicycle Tour before a Cooking Lesson
Day 7
Amalfi – Traverse the Noble Depths of Naples en route to the Amalfi Coast
Day 8
Amalfi – Visit the Ancient Site of Pompeii and Craft Ceramics in Vietri
Day 9
Amalfi – Relish a Relaxing Day at Leisure to Indulge in the Amalfi Coast
Day 10
Amalfi – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Discover the creative and exciting charms of Venice during a mask making class to produce a traditional and iconic image of the city
- Wander through the hidden chambers and passageways of the Doge’s Palace for an in-depth view of Venice’s former prestige, wealth, and secrets
- Take an excursion into the local neighborhoods of Venice’s historical city center to discover the cherished wine bars of the city known as bacari
- Try your hand at shaping and forming ornaments during a private glassblowing instruction on the island of Murano
- Attempt to craft a traditional ceramic piece under the guidance of master craftsmen in the southern town of Vietri sul Mare
- Explore the ancient sites of Rome with a local eager to share the ever-evolving nature of the empire’s past and the city’s future
- Indulge in an enchanting dinner along the Tiber River during a cruise in view of Roman historical monuments
- Delight in the knowledge of traditional Neapolitan pizza during a class showing you the proper steps of preparation
- Stroll along the unearthed streets and inside the excavated homes of the ancient city of Pompeii
- Witness opulence, wealth, and prestige while touring the largest royal residence ever built at the Caserta Palace
- Trek along a portion of the historical Appian Way to explore early Christian catacombs on the fringe of Rome
- Taste the exceptional flavors of Parmesan cheese and Culatello prosciutto during a half-day tour of celebrated farms in the Emilia-Romagna region
Detailed Description
A fully immersive Italian tour takes you beyond the monuments to decorate the cities and places you at the heart of creativity to craft unforgettable images of your time spent experiencing the culture. Your 10-day tour will combine the beauty of tradition with the excitement of creation, allowing you to discover local life and iconic art simultaneously. Your journey will begin with your arrival at Marco Polo Airport in Venice, and your private transfer will escort you to the Grand Canal for your private tour along the famous two-mile stretch of water. The next day, you will wake up rested and eager to explore the famous city on the lagoon. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and lead you through the rich history of St. Mark’s Basilica and the secret rooms and halls of the Doge’s Palace.
In the afternoon, you will immerse yourself in the lesser-visited neighborhoods of Venice with a local guide to show you the hidden wine bars enjoyed by locals after a hard day’s work. You will set out the following day to visit the boatyard in which craftsmen continue to make gondolas. After meeting a local artist, you will continue to a traditional mask store to learn the history and art of crafting the Venetian image under the guidance of a master. Continue to the island of Murano to wander along the beautiful canal and witness a glassblowing demonstration before trying your hand at the ancient artwork under careful guidance.
The following day you will leave the charms of Venice behind to enter into the flavor of the region of Emilia-Romagna. Spend time at a prosciutto farm and cheese factory to learn about the process of making these treasured Italian staples, followed by a sampling of each. A first-class scenic train ride will take you from Bologna to Rome. In the evening, you will step aboard a river cruise on the Tiber to relish a four-course meal in view of the Eternal City that glows in the night. Experience the wonders of ancient Rome the next day with a guided tour of the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill. After lunch, you will venture to the Vatican to see the marvels of the arts and artifacts collected and supported by the Holy See for a millennium.
Mount your bicycle the next day for an active tour of the Appian Way and the Roman catacombs before you partake in a private cooking class with a chef happy to share the secrets of the regional cuisine. Continue the next day as your private transfer will escort you south to Naples with a stop first at the opulent Cetara Palace. Once in Naples, you will enjoy a fun and informative pizza making class to introduce you to the proper style and ingredients to produce Neapolitan pizza. Discover the depths of uncovered history with a tour of Pompeii the next morning.
Continue to the town of Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi Coast for a lesson in ceramics as taught by a local artist equally versed in the craft and its history in the town. The following day is yours at your leisure to relax inside the celebrated beauty of the Amalfi Coast. Unwind with a walk in the cliff-side gardens of Ravello or venture to the island of Capri to trek the rocky trails. You could also traverse the Trail of the Gods that connects the towns of the Amalfi Coast. Conclude as your private transfer will meet you at your hotel and escort you to the international airport in Naples for your flight home.
Starting Price
$4,500 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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